Baby oil is formulated to be hypoallergenic and is free of parabens, phthalates, and dyes. This means it’s safe for most people to put on their skin without fear of allergic reaction.

There’s a limited amount of scientific research about how baby oil affects the skin, and barely any research about how it affects the face. According to what research exists, baby oil is safe for your skin, including the skin on your face.

Can you use baby oil as a face moisturizer?

Baby oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your skin’s pores. So if you have a dry-to-normal skin type, you can use baby oil to moisturize your face.

In a 1993 studyTrusted Source, scientists tested four different common moisturizing ingredients to see how they affected people’s skin. One of them was mineral oil, a main ingredient in baby oil.

Compared with ethanol, glycerin, and water, water and baby oil appeared to have the biggest moisturizing effect of all the ingredients when applied to skin. The scientists found that mineral oil helped plump up the skin, giving a more hydrated appearance.